Fed: Frontbencher takes aim at outspoken coalition colleagues

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2009
Fed: Frontbencher takes aim at outspoken coalition colleagues

CANBERRA, Aug 10 AAP - A senior Liberal frontbencher has taken aim at some of his coalition
colleagues accusing them of vanity by speaking out against Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull
and emissions trading.

The opposition's attorney-general spokesman George Brandis specifically mentioned outspoken
Liberal backbencher Wilson Tuckey, who has vowed to confront Mr Turnbull at a meeting
of the parliamentary party on Tuesday.

Mr Tuckey described his leader as "arrogant and inexperienced" in an email distributed
to party colleagues.

Mr Turnbull is also facing dissent on the coalition's stance on emissions trading and
a permanent tax hike on alcopops from the Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Brandis said the dissidents were risking the chances of Liberal MPs and party candidates
in marginal seats.

"There are one or two individuals, like Wilson Tuckey, who ... out of vanity ... express
in public views they have every opportunity to express within the private forum of the
Liberal party," he told ABC Radio on Monday.

The most outspoken members were those who held safe seats - such as Mr Tuckey - or
who held a safe position on Senate tickets, he said.

AAP rl/ash

KEYWORD: LIBERALS BRANDIS

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